Internationale Mennonitische Organisation

The Internationale Mennonititische Organisation für Hilfswerk und andere christliche Aufgaben e.V. (IMO), International Mennonite Organization) was organized in 1967 by the Mennonite relief organizations of The Netherlands and Germany as well as the Mennonite Brethren Church in Europe to carry out social welfare and development aid. The relief organizations of the Mennonites of France and Switzerland were not yet members in 1986. Projects such as the Trainee Exchange Program and cooperation in sending relief and development volunteers are carried out together with Mennonite Central Committee. Projects especially supported by IMO are Indian settlement in the Chaco in Paraguay; food aid and social construction programs (medicinal care, school education, child sponsorship, economic development) in Brazil, Uruguay, Nicaragua, Guatemala, India, Chad; and care of refugees and re-settlers (Umsiedler) in Europe. In 1987 the annual budget of IMO amounted to 1.3 million West German marks. IMO wants to engage itself in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, preferably in long-term social development projects ("help towards self-help"). But again and again it saw itself called also to give short-term food and refugee aid. Wherever possible IMO also sends volunteers to the above-named projects, usually for a minimum of three years.